Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that recognize the contributions of black Canadians, past and present.
During Black History Month, Canadians can gain insight into the experiences of black Canadians and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.
We encourage you to learn about the many black Canadians that helped shape and forge this nation.
They include:
• The first named black person to set foot on Canadian soil, Mathieu Da Costa, a free man who was hired as a translator for Samuel de Champlain in 1605;
• Mary Ann Shadd, the first woman publisher in North America, establishing the Provincial Freeman, an abolitionist newspaper;
• Anderson Ruffin Abbott became the first Canadian-born man of black heritage to become a licensed physician in 1861. He was born to a prominent family in Toronto.
Through their contributions, and those made by many other black Canadians, our country and our world is a richer place to live.
Celebrate our shared history this month.